Welcome to Gaia! ::

The brunette woke to a feeling more familiar than she'd like. Sluggish...which meant she'd been drugged. Heavily drugged, since the normal dose didn't work well on her. She'd be sick soon from the effects. A blindfold over her eyes, and the shaking beneath her. Her hands on her stomach, bound together, probably with silver chains. She was being transported. The silver burned her wrists as easily as a cross would. She couldn't help the wince of pain, alerting the people in the car she was awake. They argued over whether to dose her again, but the driver said they were already so close to the house it wasn't worth the trouble.

Souretsu wanted to struggle and escape, but that wouldn't have taken the blindfold off, or gotten the chain off her wrists. They stopped, the car jerking, and the yokai turned her head to the side, losing her pathetically small meal in the car...and over one of the man's shoes and pants. She smirked to hear the complaints of the man, only getting a punch for her trouble, which made her grunt in pain. It was mostly for humiliation. It made her wish she’d thrown up on his face instead.

She was dragged out of the car, blindfold yanked off, and Souretsu winced as her hair was pulled a bit as well. She was face to face with a door, unable to even look at the building she assumed was a mansion. Her glasses were with her, one of the ear pieces in her shirt, keeping the glasses there. Her vision was blurry without the aid of them, and she felt the nicer of the two guards put her glasses on her face as the meaner one pounded on the door.

The only thing the brunette wanted to do was run. This was the forest! She could survive years in here… All she needed to do was escape… She kicked at the man again, causing him to glare at him, and shove the girl down. She winced to get kicked in the head, stars flashing across her vision. ‘What the hell is he!? No human can manage a kick like that…’ she thought before almost blacking out from the next kick, and the stomp on her stomach. She didn’t think any fangs were broken, but she could taste blood. "D-Damn you..." she growled out, grunting in pain as she took another kick, this one to the stomach. Geez, were they seriously going to kill her, right on the doorstep of the person trying to purchase her?! She just hoped whoever bought her would save her soon.

Sourestu hadn’t noticed the woman until she dropped down. She knew this woman was her mistress immediately. Even more so…she was a demon, like Souretsu. Would she be more sympathetic to her? Maybe refrain from abusing her? She watched her rant at them, somewhat amused. What she also liked as the other was referring to her as a girl. Not as a slave, or her property. She was still pissed about being bought, but she wasn’t considering making a run for it. It would be in vain, anyways. She wasn’t in any condition to run. Not with her head still spinning like this. She managed a choked laugh to see the slaver get kicked in the stomach, then hit. He deserved much more, but it was a start. Souretsu wished that she could kick him herself, but this woman’s revenge would do.

She watched them run off, the hurt one stumbling. Now they were alone… Souretsu turned her attention to the woman, hoping this new mistress wasn’t an abusive one. She winced to be picked up, and had no choice but to let the other carry her. She was laid on the couch, and her eyes widened as the silver cuffs were taken off. It must have hurt just to touch them, so why…? Soon she felt herself being healed, and she watched the red burns on her wrist fade away. There was a faint redness of long healed burns, showing they had bound her several times with silver, knowing it burned her. She felt other injures healing, the ones the guards inflicted, and a few other wounds not yet healed.

She furrowed her eyebrows. “Why are you being so nice?” she asked, almost suspiciously. "I mean, I'm glad I'm not getting whipped or raped right now, but...why?" Souretsu had heard of nice masters, of course, but it had seemed like a thing of fantasy to girls like her, chosen for rebelliousness. "I know there are nice masters out there, but I'd given up hope that one would choose someone like me. I'm sure you read my file." The record that recommended her for the toughest of masters, ones not afraid of s little spitfire. Being fireproof was also a strong recommendation.

Souretsu stayed on the couch, hands resting on her stomach, which suddenly growled loudly, making the brunette demon frown. Right, she’d thrown up earlier…and her stomach was empty again. She looked over at the woman. "Will I be fed today?" she asked, as if being fed was a rare occasion. It kind of was. She usually got fed every three or four days. The reason? Souretsu was a demon. She could 'take a little hunger' as the guards would say with a sneer.

Souretsu narrowed her eyes a bit, as if trying to assess if the other was telling the truth. “I’m not trusting you right away. The ‘I’m your friend’ act has been pulled on me a few times…but I do hope you’re telling the truth.” She said. The most Souretsu trusted this woman with right now was healing her wounds, and even with that, she was being wary.

“I wouldn’t call myself innocent.” She said with a smirk. “I mess with the slavers a lot. They want to imprison me, so I’ll make their lives hell. Only problem is there’s not much I can do from inside a cage.” She shook her head lightly. What Hanako said made sense, though. If she wanted a maid, she’d go with a pushover, who was already broken. Even though some chose Souretsu specifically to break her. It was seen as a challenge, to break down someone strong. “Well, you’ve got blunt honesty and no fear, no problem.” She said. “Friendship will take a while. At least you’re a demon. It makes it easier.”

Finally the brunette sat up a little. “Um..anything. I’m not picky.” She said. After a few seconds, she said “I like apples. They’re my favorite.” She looked away as if revealing that little fact about her was embarrassing to reveal. “I also like deer meat. It reminds me of home….”

Souretsu sighed, glad the other wouldn’t expect trust and friendship so soon. Good. Souretsu had the feeling it could take quite a while. In the meantime, she was letting the other heal all these injuries. Now the girl could sit up, glad to not feel constant pain. There were still twinges from scars that healed bad, but she didn’t think anything could be done for those. She tilted her head to hear the other didn’t use the word ‘slave’. “In that case, could you take off this collar? It is the symbol of a slave.” In a way, this was a test. If Hanako wanted a companion, not a slave, she’d take off the collar that Souretsu had been jerked around by all these years.

Then she blinked to hear this new girl called Riku….to find she was like a daughter to Hanako. Interesting. She wondered if Riku was interested in Hanako, and got ‘friendzoned’ in a way. She’d seen this process enough times to know what it was…and had it explained to her by a dejected noble, when Souretsu seemed confused as to why he wasn’t satisfied by a friend. She did nod when Hanako mentioned being in a cage would tick anyone off. And Souretsu certainly had her own mind.

To hear the other would make apple pie if she was patient, Souretsu nodded quickly. She’d wait for hours if it meant apples at the end. Apples and sweets combined…that was a dream come true! Apple pie, especially. Her mother used to make it for her all the time, seeing how much her daughter loved apples.

Souretsu smiled to feel it fall off onto her lap. Instead of the fireplace...Souretsu decided to burn it a different way. She took the collar into her free hand, and clenched her scarred fist, and watched the collar erupt into flames, and she burned it until there was nothing left. She sighed in what could be relief. Her neck was cold without that layer, however hated. She felt a million times better, her injuries healed and several fresher, smaller scars gone. She nodded, managing a tentative smile at the sound of supper and apple pie. "I have to say, this is the best house I've been in so far."[/color She said. Clearly she wasn't ready to trust them just yet, but she wouldn't act cold or suspicious towards them. At least not unless they did to her.

Then she heard the voice of this Riku character. Souretsu nodded at the mention of something to drink. She probably inhaled a couple clouds of dust out there when she was knocked down. "Just water is fine." Almost as soon as she was done saying that, a girl that looked even younger than her stumbled down the steps. Which meant there was a strong chance she was much older than her appearance. The other eeped when she finally noticed her. Sourestu nodded. "I am. Nice to meet you." she said to Riku. Souretsu was a bit embarrassed about having a ton of dirt on her from the shop and the scuffle outside. Her first thing to do was wash...did she have time before dinner? "Is there enough time for me to take a shower, or something?" she asked, sitting up, surprised at the lack of pain, though she shouldn't be.

Souretsu was feeling a bit better in this place. Hanako and Riku seemed very nice. She was still on guard, of course, but decided to enjoy this while she could. She always enjoyed the 'friendly' act, but told herself not to get too used to it. Just in case they were lying. At least these two knew Souretsu didn't trust them right away...and probably wouldn't for a while. She hoped this was the truth this time. After all, Hanako was a strong woman, able to handle someone strong as Souretsu. Her being kind to a violent pet like her wouldn't be much of a stretch. The other was correct, though, in thinking Souretsu would be happy here, able to be in a forest castle, away from others who would harm her, able to explore the nature around her, having all this room to explore.

She smiled a bit at Riku's stuttering and blushing. It was kind of adorable. The girl gave off the impression of being much younger than she appeared. "Thank you." she said when she got the water, draining it in a few gulps. The girl had clearly been very thirsty. Hungry too, if her thinness was any indication. Souretsu had always been a slender girl, but even demons had their limits on how much hunger they could take.

Thankfully, Souretsu was then led upstairs, looking a bit surprised to be able to stand already, but remembered she'd just been healed. Right. She was used to constant pain. Now it was just malnutrition...and the pain of memories. Hopefully both would heal quickly. The room She was brought to was beautiful. She had been in many different types of rooms, but this one suited her well. Even if purple wasn't her favorite color. She'd been silent the whole talk about clothing, but was curious. At least she was Riku's size if the other clothes didn't work. Hanako's clothes wouldn't fit her, that was clear by the height difference. The other demon was taller than Souretsu by quite a few inches, her limbs longer as well.

"I like the room. Thank you." she said before going into he bathroom, and taking the longest, hottest shower of her life. It would have scalded and boiled those without fire, but Souretsu loved it. She rarely took showers this hot, but she needed it this time. She took her time in washing her body and hair, feeling clean again for once, brushing her teeth as well. She found herself smiling, almost wanting to sing again. She realized she did have to leave the shower, and eventually got out, with some reluctance, and dried off with the towel, then finding the clothes. Truthfully the towel wasn't needed, as Souretsu could dry off with her powers, which was how she dried her hair. It was so long, it was a pain in the @ss to try any other way. She slipped on the clothes, smiling as she did so. Warm clothes, finally! And it felt so nice. She went down to the dining room, following the wonderful scent of apples. Souretsu had even got to clean her glasses, and her green eyes sparkled a bit, her slight smile showing a hint of mischief. She was a bit of a prankster, alright, and would probably get back into that when she was more comfortable around the two.

The brunette looked between the two. "Do I...look okay?" she asked, almost self conscious. She'd normally be nervous about wearing clothes like this...but it was just two women with her. And generally Souretsu found women had better control with their urges. Not that the two looked like they'd try anything on her anytime soon.

Souretsu was unaware of the transaction between the two demons, but when she came downstairs, she blinked at first to be told she looked beautiful, before she found herself smiling. It sure felt genuine. She was used to the fake throwaway compliments most used, especially when they had ulterior motives. Though there was nothing in sight to be gained, it seemed. Nothing immediate, anyways.

The demon shrugged. “I usually like dark, warm clothing. Other than that, I’m not very picky. I can’t afford to be, since I’ve more or less had that old outfit since I was little.” She said. The thought of going to a village, interacting with people…secretly it terrified her, but she had to be brave, pretend to be unaffected. That was how she lived so long, not letting things get to her. If she had to look cold and heartless…so be it. It looked like it hadn’t sapped her soul away yet.

Souretsu’s stomach growled again as she sat down, making her remember her hunger. She sat down, and was glad to pile food on her plate, mostly meat, but adding some other things as an afterthought. She needed other food groups too. She remembered her mother always telling her that when Souretsu had proclaimed one day she only wanted to eat meat and candy. She wished she could go back to those days, when her biggest concern was bedtime and lessons.

When she could finally talk again, after her stomach being a little full, she looked at the two. "If you don't mind me asking, were you born here or in Hell? If your ancestors originated in hell, that is." Souretsu asked. She knew her own were from hell, but Souretsu had been born and raised on Earth, as had her mother and her siblings. Her grandparents had been the ones to move to Earth temporarily, but they were probably in Hell once again. They never did like Earth life as much.